POLICE in Newton Abbot have vowed to take a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to e-scooters after a 16-year-old was reported for traffic offences.

An e-scooter was seized by officers following reports of numerous people riding e-scooters dangerously throughout the town centre.

Helped by members of the town centre security team and CCTV operators, police were directed to an individual they say was ‘evading’ police while riding an e-scooter.

A spokesman for Newton Abbot police said: ‘It is currently against the law to ride an e-scooter on a public road or pavement

‘This is all because e-scooters are classed as a motor vehicle in the same way that motorbikes and cars are. 'This means they are subject to the same legal requirements, such as MOT, licensing, tax, and insurance.

‘They cannot be used legally on the roads.’

Following the incident a 16 year-old has been reported to court for a number of traffic offences and an e-scooter has been seized.

The spokesman said: ‘We will take a zero tolerance approach to anyone riding e-scooters around the town centre in a dangerous manner.’

The response by police has been welcomed by the public.

One said lots of youngsters had been seen riding straight at motorists and goingthe wrong way down the middle of the road.

Others suggested the ease of buying the scooters online was an issue and suggested banning the sale if they are illegal on the pavement or road.